Bis(2-hydroxy-4, 5-dichlorophenyl) sulfide



United States Patent 2,760,988 BIS(2-HYDROXY-4,5-DICHLOROPHENYL) SULFIDE Guido Schetty and Walter Stammbach, Basel, Switzerland, assignors to J. R. Geigy A. G., Basel, Switzerland, a Swiss firm No Drawing. Application March 22, 1954, Serial No. 417,934

Claims priority, application Switzerland May 6, 1953 1 Claim. (Cl. 260-609) The present invention concerns the production of a strongly active germicidal diphenyl sulphide compound which has a wide range of action.

In the U. S. patent application Ser. No. 327,669, filed December 23, 1952, now Patent No. 2,730,554, diphenyl methane compounds are described of the general formula:

OH HO Bl X1 X1 a1 wherein Hal represents halogen,

One X represents hydrogen or halogen and The other X represents halogen or the trifluoromethyl group.

It has now been found that a similar compound can be produced by methods known per se by the condensation of 3.4-dichloro-l-hydroxybenzene with sulphur chloride, if necessary in the presence of Friedel-Crafts catalysts. This compound corresponds to the formula:

The new polychloro-dihydroxydiphenyl sulphide compound is distinguished by a very good germicidal action. The range of action is superior to that of similar known compounds in that it is active also against certain gram negative bacteria. The minimal marginal concentration which is active against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacterium coli, expressed in mol per litre is 2.9 and 125 respectively.

The condensation with sulphur chloride is performed advantageously in the presence of inert solvents and diluents. As such are suitable for example, carbon tetrachloride or carbon disulphide. If desired, Friedel-Crafts catalysts can be added to accelerate the reaction, e. g. anhydrous aluminum chloride.

The new polychlorodihydroxydiphenyl sulphide is ch Fatented Aug. 28, 1956 "ice tained as colourless well formed crystals which are soluble in water in the form of their alkali salts. For disinfection purposes, it is used in aqueous or organic solution or dispersion. It can be worked up for example, in cleansing agents such assoap or synthetic Washing agents, in tooth pastes, creams and powders. In suitable ointment bases it has a particularly favourable antiseptic action as a hand cream.

The following examples illustrate the production and use of the polychlorodihydroxydiphenyl sulphide according to this invention. Parts are given as parts by weight and the temperatures are in degrees centigrade.

Example I 326 parts of 3.4-dichloro-l-hydroxybenzene are dissolved at 3035 in 1200 parts of carbon tetrachloride. A mixture of parts of sulphur dichloride (SClz) and 110 parts of carbon tetrachloride are added dropwise within 2 hours at 3540. The whole is then stirred for 20 hours at 40-45". The generation of hydrogen chloride has been completed at the end of this time. 4.4'.5.5 tetrachloro 2.2 dihydroxydiphenyl sulphide which has precipiated completely is drawn off under suction, washed with carbon tetrachloride and dried in the vacuum at 80-90. After recrystallisation from benzene, a white crystalline powder is obtained which melts at -166".

Analysis-CmHeOzChS, 356 mol.:

Calculated 0,404 Calculated H, 1.6% F d C .5 Found 1.97

O Calculated C Found Example 2 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,353,735 Kunz July 18, 1944 

